GSEA is EO’s awards programme for students who own or operate a business while attending college or university. The winner will advance to the global finals, where they will compete against the world’s best student entrepreneurs at the GSEA Global Finals and win US$25,000 (approximately RM112,000).
Local student entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the competition, the deadline of which is Dec 31. Winners will receive training, mentorship, and support from the organisation’s members as they develop their entrepreneurial careers.
Unlike other pitch competitions, GSEA focuses on identifying students who exhibit the spirit of the entrepreneur. Its scoring rubric rewards a competitor’s resilience, adaptability, and passion as they manage the hurdles of entrepreneurialism over the financial success of their company.
Students who demonstrate the capacity to navigate the challenges of starting a business while completing a degree will earn the winning spot.
EO Malaysia president Raymond Chou said the global competition began in 1998 and was founded on the basis of cultivating business innovations from a young age.
“Today, it has brought out many young ideas and talents from Malaysia to compete against other countries, and this brings out the spirit of entrepreneurship from an early age.
“It’s truly inspiring to see innovation and creativity coming from young minds, and we would really like to see Malaysia one day winning the first prize,” he said, adding that a Malaysian champion previously took second place in 2017.
Still, at least one local student entrepreneur has won a prize in the competition more recently: Wong Shy Kit received the Chairman’s Global Social Impact Award in GSEA 2020.
“Winning it has been helpful towards my entrepreneurship journey,” he said. “On top of establishing the credibility of my venture, I was able to connect with many great entrepreneurs and mentors who invested time and expertise in ensuring my success.”
Local competitions are underway across the world. Last year, the contest received more than 1,200 applications, with 38 country representatives competing in the global finals.
To apply for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, click here. For further information, email [email protected].